Aerosol dispenser



Jan. 27, 1970 M. B. LUCAS 3,491,913

AEROSOL DISPENSER Filed May '7, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Malcolm B. Lucas TTORNEY Jani27, 1970 M. B. LUCAS 3,491,918

AEROSOL DISPENSER Filed May 7, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 4| 98 l I52 I 50- U I02 n2\- 2a 1 g 30 i INVENTOR.

Malcolm B. Lucas Jan. 27, 1970 M. B. LUCAS AEROSOL DISPENSER 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 7, 1968 m w v m Malcolm B. Lucas A ORNEY Jan. 27, 1970 M. B. LUCAS 3,491,918

AEROSOL DISPENSER Filed May 7, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 .S Y mm 5 Tu N 7 NL R E O W T a m A m 1 /v m M III M F. M 1 vV /ll/l M m \\\\JU"PIPUNI- I 7 4 m 4 5 .7 a 2 2 m .m

United States Patent O 3,491,918 AEROSOL DISPENSER Malcolm B. Lucas, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed May 7, 1968, Ser. No. 727,158 Int. Cl. B65d 47/00 U.S. Cl. 222-193 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An aerosol dispenser is disclosed in which a fluid product is maintained at atmospheric pressure separate from the dispensing propellant. The dispenser contains an :aspirating nozzle for mixing propellant and product, separate simultaneously actuated product and propellant valves, a two-way product container vent, and a novel means for venting propellent gas which permeates the valves.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to isolation-type aerosol packages in which a fluid product is maintained at atmospheric pressure and a propellant is maintained in a separate container disposed within the product container, means being provided for the propellant to cause discharge of product from the package upon actuation of a dispensing means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The isolation-type package offers several advantages over conventional aerosol packages in which a propellant charge is maintained in a single pressurized chamber with the product to be dispensed. Among the advantages to be gained are the capability of using propellants which are chemically incompatible with the aerosol product and the ability to construct product containers of plastics and other low strength, easily formable materials, thereby permitting wide flexibility in appearance design of aerosol packages.

An isolation-type package requires a valve means on its propellant container to selectively allow propellant to cause dispensing of the separately contained product. Such valves ordinarily have seating members of soft material, such as an elastomer, to assure positive closing of the valve but which also are sufliciently permeable to permit propellant gas to slowly escape into the product container. This influx of small quantities of propellant gas into the product container is undesirable in two respects. First, over an extended time suflicient gas could enter the product container to cause a pressure rise therein which would tend to deform a flexible walled container, and, second, if the propellant and product are chemically incompatible when in contact for any appreciable time, such influx of propellant into the product could cause degradation thereof. It is desirable therefore, to provide a valve structure which contains means for diverting propellant permeation from the product container to the atmosphere.

A preferred method of effecting product discharge from an isolation-type package is to direct propellant through an aspirator, the throat of which is connected to the product container by a suitable passageway, whereupon the aspirator draws product into the propellant stream and the two are mixed and atomized. This aspirating action causes a pressure drop in the product container, and it is therefore necessary to provide a means of allowing air to enter the product container to prevent creation of a vacuum therein. The container venting means must ice however, in addition to performing the function just described, be closable to prevent leakage of product from the container during shipping and storage. Additionally, means must be provided in the product passage leading to the aspirator for preventing a similar product leakage. Also, because storage of product in the package for extended periods or at elevated temperatures might result in pressure building up and deforming a flexible-walled product container, venting means must be provided which allow the escape of gases from the package but preclude the escape of product therefrom. Further, all the functions just mentioned must be incorporated in apparatus requiring little space.

Several prior art devices have incorporated some or most of the functions described above; however, all are desirably subject to improvement in that they do not fully meet the functional requirements of isolation-type aerosol packages and/ or they are subject to structural improvement in the means for performing the stated functions. It is desirable therefore to provide an aerosol package having the functions hereinbefore mentioned and yet retain structural simplicity and operational ease.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an aerosol package of the type described having a valve structure which will direct propellant permeation away from the product container and to the atmosphere.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an aerosol package in which product and propellant are separately maintained with provisions for simultaneously and selectively opening a product flow passage, a propellant flow passage, and an inward vent; and, additionally, providing an outward vent integral with the inward venting means.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a single fitment adapted to both inwardly and outwardly vent a container thereby providing both pressure and vacuum relief.

It is a further object of this invention to provide the fitment and aerosol pack-age mentioned above which are physically compact.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated, this invention comprises the combination of a product container, an inner container adapted to contain a propellant, a diptube extending into the product container, a valve assembly having means for venting propellant permeation to the atmosphere and means for simultaneously selectively opening or closing the passageways leading from the product container and propellant container to an aspirating nozzle, and a means for inwardly and outwardly venting the product container. A sub-combination of this invention comprises a novel container vent comprising a frusto-conical diaphragm adapted to seat against the propellant container supporting means and relieve under pressure to let air enter the package and a section of a similar diaphragm adapted to seat on the lip of the product container and relieve under pressure to allow gases therein to escape at a predetermined pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter of this invention, it is believed the invention will be better understood by reference to the following explanation and accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation view, partly in section, of an aerosol container embodying this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmented sectional elevation view of the same on an enlarged scale;

FIGURE 2a is a fragmented sectional elevation view showing on an enlarged scale the stem passageway structure of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the venting insert of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a section view of the venting insert taken along the line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmented sectioned elevation view showing the apparatus of FIGURE 2 with an alternate means of allowing air to enter the container;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmented elevation view, partly in section, of this invention showing an alternate embodiment of the product container venting means;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmented elevation view, partly in section, showing a further emb diment of the product container venting means;

FIGURE 8 is a section view, taken along the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7; and

FIGURE 9 is a section view taken along the line 88 of FIGURE 7 and illustrating the product container vent in an open position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, especially FIGURES 1-4, the package comprises an outer container 112, having a cap 12, an inner container or propellant cartridge 14 supported in the cap 12, and a venting insert 20 disposed within the cap 12 between the cap top wall 84 and the lip 64 of outer container 112 finish.

The outer container 112 can be of varying size and shape depending upon the product to be contained within it, aesthetic objectives and other similar considerations. Materials from which the outer container 112 can be manufactured include metals, glass and plastics; for example, thermoplastics such as polyethylene. It is noteworthy in this connection that the concept of isolationtype packaging wherein the product is maintained at atmospheric pressure permits the use of such a broad spectrum of materials in fabricating outer container 112. Wall thickness of the container 112 will, of course, vary with container capacity and material, but can be consistent with current commercial practices relating to unpres'surized containers, since the product contained in the outer container 112 is maintained at atmospheric pressure.

Cap 12 is fastened to the container 112 by threads 86 or other suitable means and serves to close the container. As is most clearly shown in FIGURE 2, the cap 12 has a top wall 84 defining an aperture 88 and a boss 66 depending from the top wall 84 and defining an interior cylindrical surface 90 which has a diameter slightly smaller than that of aperture 88. The interior cylindrical surface 90 and aperture '88 are joined by a land 94 which cooperates with the crimp 96 on the propellant container 14 to vertically locate the propellant container 14 in the cap 12. The container 14 is secured in the cap 12 by a tight fit between the container 14 and either the aperture 88, the surface 90, or both.

The propellant cartridge 14 is preferably, though not necessarily, cylindrical in shape and can be made of metals such as aluminum and steel or Delrin and nylon plastics, taking due care, of course, to assure product and material compatibility. The embodiment shown in FIG- URE 2 has a cylindrical aluminum propellant container 14 with a crimped-in-place top 26. The top 26 is adapted to support the aerosol valve 22 by means of a cooperating crimp 28 and groove 30. Connected to the valve stem 32 and extending through the body member 24 and the lower end of propellant cartridge 14 (as shown in FIGURE 1) is a diptube 16. There is a sealed joint (not shown) of conventional construction where the diptube 16 passes through the lower end of the propellant cartridge 14. The diptube 16 extends to the bottom of the ou er CO tainer 112 and is adapted to carry product from the outer container 112 to the aerosol valve 22. Additionally, the diptube 16 is a resilient material, and that portion of it within the propellant cartridge 14 is bowed and thus serves as a spring to bias the valve stem 32 to a normally closed position.

The aerosol valve 22 comprises a body member 24, valve stem 32, elastomeric rings 50 and 54, and insert 98. The body member 24 is secured to the propellant cartridge top 26 by the crimp 28, the body member 24 and the cartridge top 26 forming the complete valve enclosure. Immediately above the body member 24 is the elastomeric ring 50 which is seated on the valve stem 32 in an annular groove 52 and which in cooperation with the opening to the radial passage 44- forms a high pressure valve.

The annular insert 98 immediately overlies the elastomeric ring 50 and maintains disposition of the ring 50 against the body member 24. A second elastomeric ring 54 is disposed between the propellant cartridge cover 26 and the annular insert 98, the elastomeric ring 50, annular insert 98, and elastomeric ring 54 all being tightly contained between the body member 24 and propellant cartridge cover member 26.

The elastomeric ring 54 is seated in an annular groove 56 on the valve stem 32 in cooperation with the opening to the radial passages 36 and 38 forms a low pressure valve.

The annular insert 98, in addition to serving structurally as a spacer, performs the equally important function of venting gases which permeate the elastomeric ring 50 to the atmosphere. As can be seen in FIGURE .2, the annular insert 98 is mounted adjacent one or more holes 41 contained in the top 26 of the propellant cartridge 14, thereby allowing gases which permeate the annular insert 98 to escape the package. To assure permeating of the insert 98 by gases which escape the propellant cartridge 14 through the elastomeric ring 50, the insert 98 is constructed of a material which has a higher permeability than that of the elastomeric ring 54. Thus, any permeation of ring 50 will escape the container via the insert 98 instead of the path of higher resistance through the ring 54 and into the product container.

Materials from which the insert 98 may be manufactured depend, of course, upon the material from which the rings 50 and 54 are made. The rings 50 and 54 can be of any of several resilient materials, for example, neoprene or buna-N, due consideration being had for compatibility of the material selected with the product and propellant to be controlled. Insert 98 materials which are sufliciently more permeable to the usual propellant cases such as dichlorodifluoromethane and isobutane than are the materials cited include micro-porous polyethylene and hard-dense felt.

To effect the objective of preventing propellant gas from permeating into the product container 112, the valve stem 32 must contain a flow passage structure which, in combination with the remainder of the valve 22 structure, isolates propellant gas from the ring 54, which is in communication with the product container 112. FIG- URES 2 and 2a illustrate one such structure. A central blind passageway 34 is provided which connects the diptube 16 with a radial passageway 36 leading to the exterior surface of the valve stem 32 at the peripheral groove 56. The passageway 36 is normally closed by the ring 54, but is openable by deformation of the ring 54 which occurs upon depression of the actuator 18. Upon depression of the actuator 18, the deformation of ring 54 opens passageways 36 and 38 simultaneously and product can flow circumferentially through the annular channel 100, through the passageway 38, and through the axial passageway 40 to the actuator 18.

Propellant passage-ways comprise a peripheral passageway 42 (shown in more detail in FIGURE 8) which as shown in FIGURE 2 is normally blocked by the ring 50,.

a radial passageway 44 leading from the valve stem 32 surface beneath the ring 50 to a longitudinal passageway 46, and an annular passageway 48 leading from the longitudinal passageway 46 to the actuator 18. The longitudinal passageway 46 is angularly displaced from the radial passageway 36 so the two do not intersect (the apparent intersection shown in FIGURES 2 and 2a is for convenience of illustration only).

Upon depression of the actuator 18, the ring '50 is deformed simultaneously with ring 54, thereby allowing propellant to pass through the passageways described. When the valve stem 32 is returned to its normal position by the spring action of the diptube 16, the ring 50 blocks the passageways 42 and 44, thereby isolating propellant from both the exterior of the package and from access to the product container 112. The product container 112 is further isolated from propellant gas by the insert 98, through which any gas which permeates the ring 50 is vented as hereinbefore explained.

The actuator 18 containing a nozzle 58 is secured to the valve stem 32 at a point exterior to the propellant cartridge 14. The nozzle 58 is of the aspirating type having a throat 60 through which propellant gas passes and into which product is drawn to be mixed with propellant and atomized thereby for dispersion exteriorly of the dispenser. Propellant gas reaches the throat 60 of the nozzle 58 from the passageway 48 in the valve stem 32 via a passageway 104 contained in the actuator 18. Product reaches the throat 60 from the passageway 40 via an annulus 62 surrounding the nozzle 58.

When the actuator 18 is depressed, the elastomeric rings 50 and 54 are deformed to open the passageways 44, 36 and 38 as hereinbefore described. Propellant is thereby directed through the passageways described above and through the throat 60 of the nozzle 58 creating a vacuum therein. The vacuum thus created causes product to flow through the passageways previously described and into the nozzle throat 60, whereupon the product and propellant are mixed and atomized on discharge from the nozzle 58. Release of the actuator 18 allows the elastomeric rings to simultaneously cover passageways 44, 36 and 38 and stop propellant and product dispensing.

The valve 22 components (excepting the elastomeric rings 50 and 54 and insert 98), actuator 18, and nozzle 58 can be made of metals such as aluminum or steel and plastics such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, and others. Thermoplastic materials are preferred, however, because of their low cost and ease of forming at high production rates. In this connection, nylon has been specified for one design embodying the present invention.

The package venting insert 20, which is most clearly illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, is an integrally molded structure comprising an annular ring portion 68 having vent channels 82 formed in the top surface thereof, diametrically opposed oblique surfaces 76 intersecting the top surface 106 thereof, and a frusto-conical diaphragm 70 depending therefrom.

The underside of the ring portion 68 has a circular sealing bead 74 on its periphery and a frusto-conical surface 80 tapering upwardly. The combination of the frustoconical surface 80 and oblique surfaces 76 define two flexible vents 78 in the insert. The vents 7-8 are adapted to raise from the lip 64 of the container 112 (see FIG- URE 2) when pressure inside the outer container 112 exceeds a predetermined value, thus relieving said pressure. The vents 78 so defined have a tapered, obliquelyoriented cross-section and contain the circular sealing bead 74. A vent could be constructed without the sealing bead 74 and without the oblique orientation; however, certain advantages can be gained from each. The circular sealing bead 74 provides a narrow, high unit load seal with the bottle lip 64 and therefore requires only a small seating force to effect the seal. This allows a more flexible vent which can relieve at low pressures, for example, in the range of from about 2 to about 5 inches of water.

The oblique orientation of the vent 78 permits a larger membrane (i.e., from the proximal to the beaded distal end) in a given diametral space than could be had if the thin section were oriented horizontally or near horizontally, thereby providing a compact configuration.

The diaphragm 70 has a frusto-conical interior surface intersecting the inside diameter of the annular ring portion 68 and a frusto-conical exterior surface intersecting the frusto-conical surface 80. These interior and exterior surfaces converge to a circular sealing bead 72 thereby defining a tapered cross-section. The sealing bead 72 is adapted to seal on the periphery 92 of the boss 66 (see FIGURE 2) and provides a narrow, high unit load seal therewith which requires only a small seating force. The generally frusto-conical shape of the diaphragm also provides a maximization of diaphragm length in a given diametral space to provide a compact, low differential pressure vent.

Vent channels 82, shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 are provided in the top surface of the annular ring portion 68 to provide communication between the atmosphere and the annular space defined by the diaphragm 70 and the boss 66 (see FIGURE 2). Air reaches the channels 82 by passing through the loose fitting threads 86 holding the cap 12 to the container 112. Alternatively, as shown in FIGURE 5, a hole 114 could be provided in the cap 12 to provide direct communication between the atmosphere and the space 110.

Materials and dimensions for the venting insert 20 are not critical; however, certain functional objectives such as resiliency of the diaphragm 70 and vents 78 must be recognized. The material should preferably, though not necessarily, be a thermoplastic and should preferably be such as is flexible in thin cross-section. Dimensions to achieve the required flexibility or rigidity of course, depend on the material used. As an example, a low density polyethylene insert has been designed which contains a diaphragm 70 having a free end with a 1.281 inch diameter, an interior surface angle of 20, a vertical dimension of .260 inch, a sealing bead 72 diameter of .025 inch, and a thickness tapering from about .015 inch to about .060 inch. Similarly, the flexible vents 78 of such an insert can have a .025 diameter sealing bead 74 and taper in thickness from about .015 inch to about .030 inch over a length of approximately .188 inch. The vents 78 were designed with a .95 inch width, i. e., circumferentially of venting insert 20.

During dispensing of product from the package when the valve 22 and associated components are operating as hereinbefore described, the aspirating effect of the nozzle 58 causes a pressure drop in the outer container 112. The diaphragm 70 operates to prevent creation of a vacuum in the outer container 112 by separating at the sealing bead 72 from the peripheral surface 92 of the boss 66 against which it is seated when the pressure in the container 112 drops to a predetermined small amount below atmospheric, for example 35 inches of water, to allow air to enter the container 112. When no product is being dispensed from the package, the sealing bead 72 is again seated against the peripheral surface 92 of the boss 66 and prevents product from spilling from the outer container 112 when the package is inverted or otherwise tipped. Any pressure rinse in the container during storage will further operate to seat the diaphragm 70 against the boss 66, but will, however, be prevented from becoming excessive by relieving of the outboard vents 78 as hereinbefore described.

Alternative means for venting the outer container can be provided in combination with the valve and container structure herein described. One such venting means is shown in FIGURE 6. The vent comprises a channel 17 between the outer container 112 and the inner container 14, and a radial hole 15 through the outer container 112 wall. During storage, the cap 13 is placed on the outer container 112 and seals the hole 15. During dispensing, however, the cap 13 must be removed, whereupon the hole is uncovered to provide communication between the atmosphere and the interior of the container 112.

FIGURES 79 illustrate a second alternative venting means. A rotatable sleeve 21 is provided on the top portion of the container 112 and is vertically maintained by the projection 23 and groove 47. Referring to FIGURES 8 and 9, the container 112 wall has a projection 49 which contains the vent hole 27. The sleeve 21 contains a void defined by surfaces 51, 53, 55 and 57, which is circumferentially larger than the projection 49, and which in the assembly coincides with the projection 49.

As shown in FIGURE 8, when the sleeve 21 is rotated to the position where surface 57 is adjacent the projection 49, the surface 51 seals the hole 27 and prevents leakage from the container 112. During storage, this closed position is maintained by the groove 39 in the cap 29 locking the lug 37 on the ring 21 in alignment with the lug 35 (shown in FIGURE 9) on the outer container 112.

When the cap 29 is removed and the ring 21 positioned as shown in FIGURE 9, the surface 53 and projection 49 define a vent channel 25, and communication between the atmosphere and the interior of the outer container 112 is provided by the radial hole 27, the channel 25, and the space 45 (shown in FIGURE 7) defined by the ring 21 and the outer container 112 wall.

As illustrated by the above description and drawings, an aerosol dispensing container has been provided using a novel combination of compactly packaged elements to provide the functions of dispensing, propellant and product separation, selective simultaneous opening of propellant and product passageways, vacuum relief, and res sure relief in a unitary readily operable package. Additionally, a novel structure has been provided to prevent permeation of propellant gas into the product container.

Many modifications of the invention can be made, and it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described, all reasonable equivalents thereof being intended to fall within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In an aerosol valve having a first flow passage selectively closed by a first flexible member interrupting said first passage and a second flow passage selectively closed by a second flexible member interrupting said second flow passage and wherein said first and second flexible members also serve to isolate the first from the second passage, the improvement which comprises:

(A) a permeable insert located between said flexible members; and

(B) means for providing communication between said permeable insert and the exterior of said valve; and means for isolating said first flow passage from communicating with said second flexible member.

2. An aerosol valve comprising:

(A) a valve enclosure;

(B) a valve stem slideably mounted in said valve enclosure, said valve stem having a first annular groove and a second annular groove, said valve stem containing a first passageway from the exterior surface of said valve stem is said first annular groove to one end of said valve stem, a second passageway from the exterior surface of said valve stem in said first annular groove to the other end of said valve stem, and a third passageway extending from the exterior surface of said valve stem in said second annular groove to said one end of said valve stem;

(C) a first flexible annular ring mounted in said valve enclosure and engaged with said first annular groove;

(D) a second flexible annular ring mounted in said valve enclosure and engaged with said second annular groove;

(E) a permeable annular insert mounted in said valve enclosure between said first flexible annular ring and said second flexible annular ring, said first and second flexible annular rings and said annular insert all being coaxial, said valve enclosure having at least one hole extending through a wall thereof adjacent said permeable annular insert; and

(F) a fourth passageway contained in said valve, said fourth passageway extending from said second annular groove to the end of the valve coincident with said other end of said valve stem.

3. An aerosol dispensing package comprising in combination:

(A) an outer container;

(B) an inner container disposed within said outer container;

(C) a valve mounted to said inner container, compris- (l) a valve enclosure fastened to said inner container;

(2) a valve stem slideably mounted in said valve enclosure, said valve stem having a first annular groove and a second annular groove, said valve stem containing a first passageway from the exterior surface of said valve stem in said first annular groove to the end thereof exterior of said inner container, a second passageway from the exterior surface of said valve stem in said first annular groove to the lower end of the valve stem, and a third passageway extending from the exterior end of said valve stem in said second annular groove to the valve stem end exterior of said inner container;

(3) a first flexible annular ring mounted in said valve enclosure and engaged with said first annular groove;

(4) a second flexible annular ring mounted in said valve enclosure and engaged with said second annular groove;

(5) a permeable annular insert mounted in said valve enclosure between said first flexible annular ring andsaid second flexible annular ring, said first and second flexible annular rings and said annular insert all being coaxial, said valve enclosure having at least one hole extending through a wall thereof adjacent said permeable annular insert; and

(6) means for placing said second flexible annular ring in communication with the interior of said inner container;

(D) an aspirating nozzle disposed externally of said outer container and said inner container and mounted to said valve stem;

(E) means for providing communication between said first passageway and said aspirating nozzle;

(F) means for providing communication between said third passageway and said aspirating nozzle;

(G) means for providing communication between said outer container and said second passageway; and

(H) means for venting air into saidouter container when the pressure therein is less than ambient.

4. The aerosol dispensing package recited in claim 3 wherein said package contains means for venting gas out of said outer container when the pressure therein is higher than ambient.

5. The aerosol dispensing package of claim 4 wherein said means for venting said outer container inwardly and outwardly comprises:

(A) a cap fastened to the finish of said outer container and having a boss with a circular periphery depending from its lower interior surface;

'(B) a venting insert comprising an annular ring portion having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a circular periphery, at least one segment of said annular ring portion having a thin section extending from its periphery generally inwardly of the said insert; and a frusto-conical diaphragm depending from the lower surface of said annular ring portion, said diaphragm tapering downwardly inward and being adapted to seat against the peripheral surface of the aforesaid boss; and

(C) means for providing communication between the atmosphere and the passageway bounded by the said boss and the said frusto-conical diaphragm.

6. The aerosol dispensing package of claim wherein the annular ring portion of the venting insert contains a circular bead on its lower peripheral edge.

7. The aerosol dispensing package of claim 6 wherein the thin section of the venting inserts annular ring portion comprises a tapered segment defined by an oblique surface extending upwardly from the said circular bead and the lower surface of the said annular ring portion.

8. The aerosol dispensing package of claim 7 wherein the lower surface of the venting inserts annular ring portion is frusto-conical and tapers upwardly and inwardly to its intersection with the said frusto-conical diaphragm.

9. The aerosol dispensing package of claim 5 wherein the venting inserts frusto-conical diaphragm has a tapered cross-section and contains a circular sealing bead at its lower edge.

10. A two-way container vent comprising in combination:

(A) a cap fastenable to the finish of a container and having a boss with a circular periphery depending from its lower interior surface;

(B) a venting insert comprising an annular ring portion having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a circular periphery, at least one segment of said annular ring portion having a thin section adjacent its lower periphery and extending from the periphery generally inwardly of the said insert; and a frustoconical diaphragm depending from the lower surface of the said annular ring portion, said diaphragm tapering downwardly inward and being adapted to seat against the peripheral surface of the aforesaid boss; and

(C) a means of providing communication between the atmosphere and the passageway bounded by the said boss and the said frusto-conical diaphragm.

11. The container vent recited in claim 10 wherein the annular ring portion of the venting insert contains a circular head on its lower peripheral edge.

12. The container vent of claim 11 wherein the thin section of the venting inserts annular ring portion comprises a tapered segment defined by an oblique surface extending upwardly from the said circular bead and the lower surface of the said annular ring portion.

13. The container vent of claim 12 wherein the lower surface of the venting inserts annular ring portion is frusto-conical and tapers inwardly and upwardly to its intersection with the said frusto-conical diaphragm.

14. The container vent of claim 10 wherein the venting inserts frusto-conical diaphragm has a tapered crosssection and contains a circular sealing head at its lower edge.

15. An aerosol dispensing package comprising in combination:

(A) an outer container;

(B) an inner container disposed within the said outer container;

(C) an aspirating nozzle disposed externally of said outer container;

(D) a passageway connecting said inner container with the inlet portion of said aspirating nozzle and a second passageway connecting said outer container with the throat of said aspirating nozzle; said passageways each being provided with valves whereby flow therethrough can be selectively controlled;

(E) a cap fastened to the finish of said outer container and having a boss with a circular periphery depending from its lower interior surface;

(F) a venting insert comprising an annular ring portion having an upper surface, a frusto-conical lower surface, a circular periphery having a circular bead on its lower edge, and at least one oblique surface extending from said circular bead and intersecting said upper surface, said oblique surface and said lower surface defining a thin segment of said annular ring portion; and a frusto-conical diaphragm depending from said lower surface of said annular ring portion, said diaphragm tapering downwardly inward and having a circular bead on its lower edge, said circular bead being adapted to seat against the peripheral surface of the aforesaid boss; and

(G) means for providing communication between the atmosphere and the passageway bounded by the said boss and the said frusto-conical diaphragm.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,746,796 5/1956 Germain 239573 X 2,995,308 8/1961 Ashkenaz 239573 X 3,174,692 3/1965 Green 222402.24 X 3,289,949 12/ 1966 Roth 239-579 3,420,415 1/ 1969 Kulfer 222193 ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner NORMAN L. tSTACK, JR, Assistant Examiner 

